Brussels Casino Concession Tender Until 2041

Government building behind a contract document with an official seal, a shield with a checklist, and stacked coins on the side

Brussels Opens Casino Concession Tender Until 2041 – Operators Face New Bidding Process and Financial Conditions

Key Takeaways

The city of Brussels has launched a public tender for its casino concession, which will run until December 31, 2041.
Applications must be submitted by May 22 to the city’s land management agency.
The concession requires a minimum fee of €337.42 per square meter of gaming space and at least 30 traditional gaming tables.
The current operator, Viage, pays a 50% regional tax on slot machine gross gaming revenue, while table games are tax exempt.
The concession is estimated to be worth €750 million.

Brussels Publishes Concession in EU Official Journal

The city of Brussels has formally opened the tender process for its land based casino concession. The announcement was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on March 26, initiating a competitive bidding procedure for the right to operate the property until December 31, 2041.

Interested operators must submit their applications by May 22 to the city’s land management agency. The selection process will be based on the quality of the offer and the financial contributions promised by bidders. This indicates that both operational concepts and financial commitments will play a central role in the final decision.

The new concession will replace the current license held by Viage, which has operated the casino since 2010. That license expires on December 31, following a one year extension that was granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operational Requirements and Financial Conditions

The tender documentation outlines specific operational and financial conditions for applicants. One key requirement is a minimum fee of €337.42 per square meter allocated to gaming operations. This fee directly links the cost of the concession to the size of the gaming area operated by the successful bidder.

In addition, the concession mandates the operation of at least 30 traditional gaming tables. The current casino operates 37 traditional tables and 400 slot machines, suggesting that the minimum requirement reflects existing operational levels.

The property covers 14,000 square meters in the city center of Brussels. It records approximately 310,000 visits annually and employs 270 people. According to the information provided, the casino has reported profitability since 2019.

The operator is also subject to a regional tax regime. Slot machines are taxed at 50% of gross gaming revenue. Table games, by contrast, are exempt from this specific regional tax. This distinction directly affects revenue composition and cost structure for any operator assessing the financial viability of a bid.

Estimated Value and Public Revenue Targets

The Brussels casino concession carries an estimated value of €750 million. This figure reflects the long duration of the concession and the scale of the operation in the Belgian capital.

Authorities in Brussels plan to increase gaming related tax income by €20 million per year. While the precise mechanism for achieving this increase has not been detailed, the objective signals a focus on higher fiscal returns from the sector. Any future concession holder will need to factor this revenue target into its financial planning and bidding strategy.

The current operator, Viage, has invested nearly €80 million across two locations, including a previous site at Salle de la Madeleine. Such investment levels illustrate the capital intensity associated with operating a large scale urban casino under a long term concession agreement.

Current Operator and Potential Bidders

Viage is a subsidiary of Casinos Austria International. The parent company operates 12 casinos in Austria, while its international division manages five locations in Australia, Switzerland, Serbia, and Belgium. Viage is seeking renewal of its Brussels license under the new tender.

Gaming1, part of the Ardent Group, is reportedly considering submitting a bid. Other operators have also shown interest in the concession, although no full list of applicants has been disclosed.

For companies active in land based gaming, the Brussels concession represents a long term presence in a central European capital with established visitor traffic and a proven record of profitability in recent years. The competitive process is expected to weigh both operational expertise and the scale of financial commitments offered to the city.

What the Concession Means for the Local Gaming Market

The Brussels casino operates 400 slot machines and 37 traditional gaming tables, positioning it as a significant venue within the local market. With 310,000 annual visits and 270 employees, it is also a notable employer and contributor to regional tax revenues.

The 50% tax on slot machine gross gaming revenue represents a substantial fiscal burden relative to table games, which are exempt from this tax. For bidders, the balance between slot and table operations can therefore influence overall profitability under the existing tax framework.

The requirement to maintain at least 30 traditional tables ensures that table gaming remains a core component of the casino’s offering. Combined with minimum space related fees, this creates a defined baseline for operational scale.

Our Assessment

The opening of the Brussels casino concession tender marks the start of a competitive process that will determine the operator of a 14,000 square meter property until the end of 2041. The concession combines defined operational requirements, including minimum gaming tables and space related fees, with a tax structure that heavily affects slot machine revenue. With an estimated value of €750 million and a stated objective to increase annual gaming related tax income by €20 million, the outcome of the tender will shape both the city’s fiscal receipts and the future structure of one of Belgium’s key land based casino operations.